Articles
PERFORMANCE OF SIX ALMOND ROOTSTOCKS WITH LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO SODIUM AND CHLORIDE
Article number
1028_44
Pages
273 – 277
Language
English
Abstract
Increasing salinity within irrigated perennial crops is a substantial problem facing the longevity of the California almond (Prunus dulcis) industry.
The varying tolerance of rootstocks to sodium has been observed within field plantings, but California studies have never documented the long term effects of sodium exposure.
In 1989, a rootstock trial testing two peach-almond hybrid (P. dulcis × P. persica) rootstocks (Hansen 536 and Brights P.A. Hybrid) and four peach (P. persica) rootstocks (Halford, Lovell, Nemaguard, and Nemared) was established to determine the effects of sodium on tree growth and almond yields.
The source of sodium was the irrigation water pumped from the regional aquifer.
Throughout the 20 years of the trial, it was noted that the peach rootstocks showed increasing signs of sodium toxicity within the leaves.
Twenty years after trial establishment, trees grafted to peach-almond hybrid rootstocks were larger and produced higher yields than trees planted on peach rootstocks (14.37 kg/tree vs. 8.08 kg/tree, respectively). Tissue analyses indicated that peach-almond hybrid rootstocks had lower concentrations of sodium (434 ppm vs. 3260 ppm) and chloride (0.027% vs. 0.131%) in comparison to the peach rootstocks.
Results from this study suggest that peach-almond hybrid rootstocks are more tolerant to sodium and chloride than peach rootstocks and may provide a tool for managing salinity issues in affected areas.
The varying tolerance of rootstocks to sodium has been observed within field plantings, but California studies have never documented the long term effects of sodium exposure.
In 1989, a rootstock trial testing two peach-almond hybrid (P. dulcis × P. persica) rootstocks (Hansen 536 and Brights P.A. Hybrid) and four peach (P. persica) rootstocks (Halford, Lovell, Nemaguard, and Nemared) was established to determine the effects of sodium on tree growth and almond yields.
The source of sodium was the irrigation water pumped from the regional aquifer.
Throughout the 20 years of the trial, it was noted that the peach rootstocks showed increasing signs of sodium toxicity within the leaves.
Twenty years after trial establishment, trees grafted to peach-almond hybrid rootstocks were larger and produced higher yields than trees planted on peach rootstocks (14.37 kg/tree vs. 8.08 kg/tree, respectively). Tissue analyses indicated that peach-almond hybrid rootstocks had lower concentrations of sodium (434 ppm vs. 3260 ppm) and chloride (0.027% vs. 0.131%) in comparison to the peach rootstocks.
Results from this study suggest that peach-almond hybrid rootstocks are more tolerant to sodium and chloride than peach rootstocks and may provide a tool for managing salinity issues in affected areas.
Authors
D.A. Doll, R.A. Duncan, L. Hendricks, W. Micke
Keywords
long term salinity effects, salinity management, NaCl
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